Specialty Contact Lenses

At Bay Area Vision we fit an array of contact lenses to meet the needs of our patients. We carry a large inventory of trial lenses to fit most patients in a lens the same day as the initial visit. We utilize diagnostic instrumentation and specialty contact lenses to design lenses for patients that suffer from corneal irregularities due to high astigmatism, corneal disease or post surgical complications. These specialty lenses take more time and expertise to fit the lens correctly, and may require follow up visits.

Scleral lenses are large diameter gas permeable lenses that are designed to vault over the cornea (the clear part of the eye) and rest on the sclera (the white of the eye). These lenses are often used to correct the vision of patients suffering from corneal irregularities caused by eye diseases such as Keratoconus or irregularities caused by trauma, infection or refractive surgeries. Scleral lenses have been fit for these conditions in the past but new high oxygen delivery materials now make the lenses healthier and more comfortable for the patient. Scleral lenses may also be fit therapeutically to treat dry eyes by providing a pool of saline beneath the lens to bathe the cornea and provide relief to the patient.

Gas permeable lenses are rigid lenses that are designed to fit the cornea. The lens is smaller than soft or scleral lenses and rests on the cornea. Gas Permeable rigid lenses are designed to move slightly with each blink to pump fresh tears beneath the lens. These lenses can be fit on some irregular corneas as well as healthy eyes. They provide excellent vision and can be designed for patients with astigmatism and with bifocal needs.

Daily disposable soft contact lenses are designed for convenience and comfort. Many complications associated with contact lens wear can be due to protein build up on the lens or the solutions used to clean and disinfect the lenses. The protein can cause the lens to feel dry and uncomfortable and provide a medium for bacterial growth. Contact lens solutions contain detergents, and preservatives that clean and disinfect the lens but may also contribute to end of day discomfort. Daily disposable contacts provide a sterile fresh lens daily, and eliminates the need for contact lens solutions as well as the complications associated with these solutions.

Multifocal contact lenses are available in both soft and gas permeable materials. Soft multifocal contact lenses provide a range of vision from distance, intermediate (computer distance) to reading without the need to adjust the position of your eyes or head that bifocal glasses require you to do. This makes them ideal for computer and desk work, providing relief to your neck.

Astigmatism or Toric contact lenses are available in both rigid gas permeable and soft disposable lenses. These lenses are designed to correct blurred vision induced by astigmatism. More recently the addition of Extended Range Astigmatism contact lenses allows the doctor to prescribe soft astigmatism lenses previously unavailable to patient with higher ranges of astigmatism.

Ortho-K contact lenses or reverse geometry lenses are gas permeable lenses with a central flattening design to correct nearsightedness and low levels of astigmatism with overnight wear. This contact lens design reshapes the central cornea after overnight wear to provide clear vision throughout the day after removing the contacts upon awakening. These lenses have been shown to slow the progression of near sightedness in children and young adults. Ortho-K lenses are a great choice for people involved in sports, who work in dusty environments or work or play around unsanitized water.

Hybrid lenses have a rigid gas permeable center with a soft skirt outside the rigid center. The gas permeable lens located in the center of the lens provides the clean crisp vision and the surrounding soft skirt enhances the comfort and stability of the lens. These lenses are useful in patients that require a rigid lens to improve their vision but struggle with the comfort of a rigid lens.

Keratoconus lenses treat keratoconus, a condition that causes thinning of the cornea and subsequent bulging and distortion of the cornea. Due to the corneal distortion, the vision can’t be corrected adequately with the use of glasses or standard contact lenses. The visual correction for keratoconus is either a rigid contact lens designed for keratoconus, a scleral lens or a hybrid contact lens. If you suffer form keratoconus and would like to be fit in one of these lenses, please inform that staff when calling so they can allow for enough time for the fitting.

Bay Area Vision

Our entire optometry staff works together to give you a good visit every time you come into our office. We will work around your schedule and make every effort to see you in a timely fashion. To do this, we ask that you call ahead with any questions or concerns you have before your appointment.